Courtesy:
New Zealand FA Press ReleaseAustralia run away from Futsal WhitesSaturday 12 July, 2014Match report by
Robert Johnson – Capital Football
The Futsalroos put on an impressive second half performance on their way to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over the Futsal Whites on Saturday night at the ASB Sports Centre, securing the Trans-Tasman Cup in the process with a game to spare.
The signs looked ominous early on for the Kiwis as they went behind in the first minute when Jordan Mundell managed to turn his defender and dispatch the ball inside the left upright for an early 1-0 lead.
However, the goal seemed to spur the Futsal Whites on as they forced a number of classy saves from Australia’s goalkeeper Nicholas Starr in the opening 15 minutes.
The Futsal Whites would have been happy going into the break just 1-0 down and looking defensively sound in front of a stylish Futsalroos outfit.
But two goals in two minutes to Jarrod Basger and Wade Giovenali effectively ended the Futsal Whites hopes of a comeback after the break as the Australians gained confidence and continued to batter the New Zealand goal.
The Futsal Whites went close twice in the second 20 with two long range efforts getting beyond Starr in goal but denied by the post.
Mundell scored twice in the final minutes to complete a hat-trick on the night before a rocket from Chris Polkinghorne added the cherry on top to a dominant display.
Futsal Whites Head Coach Scott Gilligan was disappointed with the score-line after being in the game for a long period.
“We had a solid first half and were in the game at the halftime break but their second goal killed us. It looked like it should have been our ball but that’s the way it goes.”
Gilligan said the Australians speed of ball movement was impressive and ultimately the difference between the two sides.
“In Oceania we have a lot of speed from the players but not the speed of ball movement that they have. Their guys move it around at pace and their runs are smart as they’re always cycling into space. Tonight they showed that in the second half.”
There were positives and taking those into the final game of the series will be the key to gaining a result, Gilligan believes.
“We will be looking to finish the series on a high. We need to take the first half performance from tonight and emulate that for the whole game.”
The final game of the Trans-Tasman Cup kicks off at the ASB Sports Centre on Sunday at midday.
Trans-Tasman Cup 2014 – Game 2Futsal Whites 0-6 Futsalroos (half: 0-1)
NZL: -
AUS: Jordan Mundell 1’, 35’, 38’, Jarrod Basger 22’, Wade Giovenali 24’, Chris Polkinghorne 40’
Futsal Whites: Elias Billeh (GK - capt), Kareem Osman, Daniel Burns, Leo Bertos, Tai Barham
Substitutes: Atta Elayyan (GK), Joshua Stevenson, Dylan Manickum, Oudhah Ragued, Ryan Batty, Jakub Sinkora, Jan Fischer, Hicham Kamri, Miroslav Malivuk
Posted by
Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
